Program Overview

Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology.

Undergraduate Programs

• Psychology Major: A comprehensive program that provides students with a thorough understanding of the principles of psychology.
• Online Psychology Major: A flexible online program designed for students who require more flexibility in their studies.
• Neuroscience Major: An interdisciplinary program that explores the relationship between the brain and behavior.
• Psychology Minor: A program designed for students who wish to supplement their major with a minor in psychology.
• ABM in Psychology: An accelerated bachelor's to master's program in psychology.
• Honors Program: A program designed for high-achieving students who wish to pursue a more challenging curriculum.

Graduate Programs

• Behavioral Neuroscience MS: A master's program that focuses on the biological basis of behavior.
• Behavioral Neuroscience PhD: A doctoral program that explores the neural mechanisms underlying behavior.
• Applied Developmental Psychology PhD: A doctoral program that applies developmental psychology to real-world problems.
• Medical/Clinical Psychology PhD: A doctoral program that prepares students for careers in medical and clinical psychology.
• Certificate in Social & Behavioral Statistics: A certificate program that provides students with advanced training in statistical analysis.
• MA in Psychology: A master's program that provides students with a broad understanding of psychology.

Medical/Clinical Psychology PhD Program

The Medical/Clinical Psychology PhD program is designed to prepare students for careers in medical and clinical psychology. The program combines rigorous didactic courses, research, and clinical training to provide students with a comprehensive education.

Program Overview

The program seeks to understand and ameliorate psychological and behavioral disorders, with a focus on disease prevention, risk reduction, symptom amelioration, and health promotion.

Program Goals

The program aims to train students who are:

1. Thoroughly grounded in the science of psychology and its application to health and disease.
2. Prepared to engage in high-quality practice of psychology at the entry level in collaborative and interdisciplinary professional health care contexts.
3. Prepared to conduct meaningful and high-quality research that contributes to understanding of significant psychological or medical disorders, their assessment, amelioration, or management.
4. Competent to work professionally with patients, research participants, students, and collaborators from diverse backgrounds.

Coursework and Training

The program utilizes research and clinical training resources throughout the UAB Health System, VA Medical Center, Children's Hospital, and health care facilities and private practices in the Birmingham community. The program offers a variety of areas of emphasis, including:

• Neuropsychology/rehabilitation
• Neurobiology of mental illness, stress, and trauma
• Health psychology/behavioral medicine/pain
• Clinical child psychology
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Pediatric psychology
• Injury prevention
• Eating disorders and obesity
• Health-related stigma
• Health disparities
• Substance abuse and addiction

Program Structure

The program is typically completed in five to seven years of full-time study, including a one-year clinical internship. Students can pursue research, take courses, and obtain clinical experiences in various areas of emphasis. The program also offers a variety of electives and special topics courses to provide students with a broad education.